Note 61 — Chapter III · THE QUEEN OF THE COURTIERS

In England Henrietta Maria was known as Queen Mary, but she always used the signature "Henriette Marie."

[62]Cal. S.P. Dom., 1625-6, p. 415.

[63]Sir Theodore Mayerne.

[64]Henry Percy to Earl of Carlisle. Cal. S.P. Dom., 1625-49, p. 292.

[65]Cal. S.P. Dom., 1628-9, p. 412. (Dec., 1628.)

[66]Green: Letters of Queen Henrietta Maria, p. 15.

[67]William Habington: "Castara."

[68]Sir Theodore Mayerne: Cal. S.P. Dom., 1628-9, p. 548.

[69]See chapter IV.

[70]Green: Letters of Queen Henrietta Maria, p. 17.

[71]Ibid., p. 18.

[72]Mary, who married the Prince of Orange; James, afterwards King of England; Elizabeth; Henry, Duke of Gloucester; Henrietta Anne, Duchess of Orleans; Anne, who died as an infant, and another daughter, who also died in infancy.

[73]Her character is described at length in "The Character of the Most Excellent Lady Lucy of Carlisle," by Sir Tobie Matthews, prefixed to A Collection of Letters made by Sir Tobie Matthews, K.C. (1660).

[74]Those of Rochefoucault.

[75]In 1626 she was in debt to the amount of £6662 16s. 9d. to various tradesmen; it was her custom, as that of former Queen-Consorts, to employ chiefly foreign tradesmen and workmen.

[76]The Queen saw it twice; the music was written by Simon Ivy and Henry Lawes.

[77]Cal. S.P. Dom., 1625-6, p. 273.

[78]In later days Henrietta Maria could say with Katharine of Aragon,

for her children grew up unable to speak French, and Mme de Motteville says that she had spoilt her French by talking English. Perhaps even now it was only the accent which was at fault. Probably she never wrote English with ease. Her first letter written in that language is to Lord Finch; the date is about 1641. Green: Letters of Queen Henrietta Maria, p. 28.

[79]The Shepherd's Paradise: a comedy (1659).

[80]Sir John Suckling: "A Session of the Poets."

[81]He was the Queen's Lord Steward.

[82]Edmund Waller.

[83]The following description of the Queen is written by a Catholic hand: "Seremissima Maria Regina quinque ac viginti circiter annorum, figurà corporis parvà, sed venustissimà, crine cum suo Rege consimili [dark chestnut] constitutione corporis primà, de qua hac virtutum Epitome quod formosissima, quod in ætatis vere, quod Regina, in Aula deliciis, et voluptatibus affluente, atque etiam Religionibus dispari, nec vel lerissimam offensionem dederit."—Archives of the See of Westminster: Status Angliæ, 1635.

[84] The official list of the clothes, jewels, furniture, etc., which the Queen brought to England and from which the above account is taken, forms part of MS. Français, 23,600. Among the furniture are mentioned "trois tapis de velours" and "deux grands tapis de Turquie."

[85]Robert Herrick: "Corinna's going a-Maying."

[86]The evidence of Father Philip on this point is conclusive. See Con to Barberini: Add. MS., 15,389, f. 196.]

[87]He was in England at the time of Bassompierre's mission.

[88]Aff. Etran. Ang., t. 43.

[89]In a secret article of the treaty between France and England, made in 1629, it was recognized by the King of France that it was inadvisable that Henrietta should have a large French household. Aff. Etran. Ang., t. 43.]

[90]Aff. Etran. Ang., t. 43.]

[91]Fontenay-Mareuil to Richelieu (apparently). "Vos actions sont en telle veneration par tout le monde que le Roy de la Grande Bretagne animé d'un si bon exemple s'est enfin resolu de ruiner la Cabale qui estoit en sa Cour dont il estime que le Roy ni vous Monsieur ne serez pas marris puis-qu'elle avoit esté fondée par M. de Chasteauneuf et sur les mesmes desseins que celle de France très préjudiciables aux deux royaumes.... 14 April, 1633."—Aff. Etran, Ang., t. 45.

[92]Richelieu thought that Mme. de Chevreuse, swayed by her love for Holland, induced Chateauneuf to act against Weston, whom Holland hoped to supplant.

[93]This clique was considered "Puritan" as against the "Protestantism" of Portland. See chap. IV.

[94]"Père Philippe qui possêde la conscience de la Reyne de la Grande Bretagne est subject du roy son Mary et establi par luy de sorte qu'il est impossible d'y prendre aucune confiance pour les interests de France à laquelle il ne se tient point oblige."—Letters of Fontenay-Mareuil, French Transcripts P.R.O.

[95] Her son James was born October 14th, 1633.

[96]"La Reyne de la Grande Bretagne ne fait que commencer aussy a se mesler des affaires laquelle bienque son Mary layme extremement il fault de l'humeur qu'il est quelle use de grandes maniers avec luy et quelle y aille très doucement."—Letters of French Ambassador (Senneterre). May 24th, 1635. MS. Français, 15,993.

[97]"J'ay beaucoup loué et remercié la Reyne de la Grande Bretagne de son election qui est un esprit qu'elle doive conserver à elle pour prendre plus de part dans les affaires quelle n'a fait iusques ici."—Letter of Senneterre, February, 1636. MS. Français, 15,993.

"Al futuro applica poco confidata tutta nel Re. Bisogna che prema più di guadagnare li ministri dello Stato de quali può essere Padrona volendo."—Con to Barberini, Aug. 25, 1636. Add. MS., 15,389, f. 196.

[98]"... La reyne d'Angletera qul prendra entierement Vostre party sy vous luy donnez la liberté du chevalier de Jars."—Fontenay-Mareuil to Richelieu. Aff. Etran. Ang., t. 45.

[99]MS. Français, 15,993.

[100]The Queen's Grand Almoner, Du Perron, was the intermediary in this matter. Windbank's name is not mentioned in Du Perron's letters, but there is little doubt he is intended. Aff. Etran. Ang., t. 46.

[101]Aff. Etran. Ang., t. 46]

[102]Sir Robert Ayton

[103]William Habington.